Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FAME AND LOVE, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO Poet's Biography First Line: When, dearest, thou dost speak of fame Last Line: My heart is at thy feet. Subject(s): Fame; Happiness; Love - Nature Of; Reputation; Joy; Delight | ||||||||
When, dearest, thou dost speak of Fame, With bitterness I smile That phantoma delusive name Shall me no more beguile. Fame passes quickly from our ken, Pale Envy's blazing brands Spare its white statue only when Beside a tomb it stands. Earth's so-called happiness takes wing, Imperial power decays: Love, noiseless love, alone can bring True solace to our days. I ask no blessings here below, Except thy smile and song: Air, sunshine, shade, the flowers that blow, To all mankind belong. When from thy presence sundered far, In joy or sorrow's hour, I miss thy glance alone, my Star, Thy fragrance, O my Flower! Beneath the lids that veil thine eyes Illumined from above, A universe of feeling lies, I seek for nought but love. My soul, that Poesy inspires, With thoughts to man unknown Could fill the worldyet it desires To fill thy heart alone. Oh, smile and sing! my ecstasy Transcends Elysian joys, What matters now yon crowd to me With all its roaring noise? Too keen at length my rapture seems, And so, to cause its flight, I call before me in my dreams The poets' forms of light: But still, regardless of their blame, I'll love thy soothing songs More than the stirring trump of Fame, While Heaven my life prolongs. And if my name on wings of fire Should soar to worlds above, Half of my soul would still desire To linger here, and love. Sadly, or pensively at least, I'll love thee in the shade Love's radiance ever seems increased By dusky twilight's aid. O Angel with the starry eyes! O maid, whose tears are sweet! Take my soul with thee to the skies, My heart is at thy feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STUDY OF HAPPINESS by KENNETH KOCH SO MUCH HAPPINESS by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE CROWD CONDITIONS by JOHN ASHBERY I WILL NOT BE CLAIMED by MARVIN BELL THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#21): 1. ABOUT THE DEAD MAN'S HAPPINESS by MARVIN BELL A COUP D'ETAT; AN INCIDENT IN THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 4, 1851 by VICTOR MARIE HUGO |
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